Friday, May 17, 2024
5/17/2024
Project Save of Miami Valley provides overdose prevention, education, and overdose reversal medications to first responders in Darke, Montgomery, and Preble Counties in Ohio. This program works by providing naloxone to first responders via Centralized Naloxone Repositories, equipping non-transporting EMS vehicles with naloxone, furnishing naloxone to citizens via EMS agencies, and conducting outreach services to promote linkages to treatment. Montgomery County has the fifth highest overdose death rate in the state while Darke and Preble Counties’ deaths rates have more than doubled over the last three years. The highest risk populations to experience an opioid overdose are mostly white (81%) males (64%) between the ages of 20-59 (100%) who have a comorbid physical illness or disability (66%) and a history of substance abuse (95%). Currently, only 16 out of 40 police departments carry naloxone. Annually, Project Save will serve up to 85 law enforcement officers; 400 EMS personnel; 1,920 overdose victims; 67 friends/families of overdose victims; and 800 community members. Throughout the lifetime of the project, that equates to 340 law enforcement officers; 1,600 EMS personnel; 7,680 overdose victims; 268 friends/families of overdose victims; and 3,200 community members. Project Save utilizes six main key activities: (1) equipping law enforcement agencies with naloxone by training on and implementing Centralized Naloxone Repositories; (2) equipping non-transporting EMS vehicles with naloxone; (3) equipping EMS departments to furnish naloxone to citizens directly at the scene of an overdose as well as at fire/EMS stations; (4) outreach services to link individuals to treatment and recovery services after a non-fatal overdose; (5) prevention and education services that focus on how to have a healthy relationship with prescription medications; and (6) trainings to healthcare providers on overdose dangers and encouraging them to provide resources to overdose victims and their families. The project’s goal is to create healthy, drug-free communities in which opiate addiction, and its dangerous consequences, do not diminish the quality of life for our communities’ residents nor result in premature death. Measurable objectives include: 15% (485) yearly increase of first responders trained to use naloxone; 15% (10) yearly increase of first responder agencies that have established processes and protocols for carrying and administering naloxone; 10% (2,042) yearly increase in overdose reversals by first responders; 20% (67) yearly increase of family/friends who receive overdose prevention education and a naloxone kit directly following an overdose reversal; 800 community members trained to administer naloxone per year; 20% (14) yearly increase in the number of first responder agencies that have established mechanisms for referring and connecting individuals to treatment and recovery services; 557 individuals will receive referrals to treatment or recovery services per year; and a 5% (28) yearly increase in the number of non-fatal overdose victims that engage in treatment services.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
